Leaving a Legacy: Planning for Perpetual Benefit
When we think about preparing for our departure from this world, we often consider what we will leave behind for our loved ones. But in Islam, the concept of legacy extends far beyond material wealth.
It includes acts of ongoing charity that continue to benefit others long after we return to our Creator. This is the essence of sadaqah jariyah and the noble institution of waqf (Islamic endowment). These enduring acts represent powerful opportunities to invest in your hereafter while contributing meaningfully to your community and the causes you care about.
“When a person dies, their deeds come to an end except for three: ongoing charity (sadaqah jariyah), beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for them.” (Sahih Muslim) - Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Sadaqah jariyah refers to any charity that continues to bring benefit over time. Examples include building a water well, funding an education program, supporting Islamic schools, planting trees, or helping construct a mosque. The beauty of sadaqah jariyah lies in its ripple effect. Every prayer prayed in a mosque you helped build, every drink from a well you contributed to, every verse recited by a student you supported, continues to earn you reward.
A waqf is a special type of sadaqah jariyah in which an asset, such as money, property, or land, is set aside permanently for a charitable purpose. The asset itself is preserved, and only the returns (like rent, profits, or investment income) are used to support projects. Awqaf (the plural of waqf) has historically funded hospitals, schools, community centres, and mosques across the Muslim world.
Creating a waqf allows your values to live on, funding causes aligned with your deen for generations to come. It is a strategic, sustainable way to leave a long-term impact while fulfilling religious duties.
Many Muslims are unaware that their Will can include not only instructions for inheritance, but also a clear expression of their intention to give sadaqah jariyah or create a waqf. Under Islamic law, up to one-third of your estate can be allocated to discretionary causes, including ongoing charity.
By including sadaqah jariyah or waqf in your estate planning, you are not just distributing wealth, you are investing in your akhirah. It's an opportunity to support the causes that matter most to you: uplifting communities, empowering education, or caring for those in need.
A little can go a long way
You don’t have to be wealthy to leave a legacy. A small donation placed in the right project, managed with care and barakah, can have exponential benefit. Whether you wish to support orphans, publish Islamic books, establish a scholarship fund, or build a well in a remote village, your intention and planning can turn a simple act of giving into a continuous stream of reward.
Preparing your Will with the inclusion of sadaqah jariyah or a waqf is one of the most thoughtful, impactful decisions you can make. It’s a testament to your faith, a gift to your community, and a powerful form of worship that carries on long after you are gone.
Start Planning Today
Take a moment to reflect on the legacy you want to leave. Consider your values, your blessings, and the impact you hope to have. Then, take the steps to ensure your giving continues into the next life.
May Allah accept our deeds and make our legacies a source of light in this life and the next. Ameen.